U.S. patent number 5,106,056 [Application Number 07/703,798] was granted by the patent office on 1992-04-21 for fish tape reel and reel assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Jameson Corporation. Invention is credited to Thomas B. Crates, Donald N. Hesprich.
United States Patent |
5,106,056 |
Crates , et al. |
April 21, 1992 |
Fish tape reel and reel assembly
Abstract
A fish tape reel which includes first and second hollow annular
reel segments mated together to define a fish tape reel having an
enclosed annular fish tape compartment for receiving a length of
coiled fish tape. The reel defines first and second spaced-apart
and opposing side walls and inner and outer spaced-apart and
opposing peripheral walls. The inner peripheral wall defines a
through void in the reel. A port is provided in the inner
peripheral wall of the reel for extending and retracting
therethrough a length of fish tape contained in the
compartment.
Inventors: |
Crates; Thomas B. (Charlotte,
NC), Hesprich; Donald N. (Charlotte, NC) |
Assignee: |
Jameson Corporation (Charlotte,
NC)
|
Family
ID: |
24826826 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/703,798 |
Filed: |
May 21, 1991 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
254/134.3FT;
220/553; 242/405 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H
75/364 (20130101); B65H 75/406 (20130101); H02G
11/02 (20130101); H02G 1/083 (20130101); B65H
2701/533 (20130101); B65H 2701/376 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65H
75/36 (20060101); B65H 75/40 (20060101); B65H
75/38 (20060101); B65H 75/34 (20060101); H02G
11/00 (20060101); H02G 11/02 (20060101); H02G
1/08 (20060101); H02G 001/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;254/134.3R,134.3FT,134.4 ;242/96 ;220/553,557,500 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Tape-Pak Brochure-Ideal Industries, Inc.; 1990. .
Photograph..
|
Primary Examiner: Kisliuk; Bruce M.
Assistant Examiner: Morgan; Eileen P.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Adams, III; W. Thad
Claims
I claim:
1. A fish tape reel, comprising:
(a) first and second hollow annular reel segments mated together to
define a fish tape reel having an enclosed annular fish tape
compartment for receiving a length of coiled fish tape;
(b) said reel defining first and second spaced-apart and opposing
side walls, and inner and outer spaced-apart and opposing
peripheral walls, said inner peripheral wall defining a through
void in said reel;
(c) fish tape access means in the inner peripheral wall of the reel
for extending and retracting therethrough a length of fish tape
contained in the compartment; and
(d) a storage compartment for small tools and fish tape repair
accessories positioned in the void defined by the inner peripheral
wall of the reel.
2. A fish tape reel, comprising:
(a) first and second hollow annular reel segments mated together to
define a fish tape reel having an enclosed annular fish tape
compartment for receiving a length of coiled fish tape;
(b) said reel defining first and second spaced-apart and opposing
side walls, and inner and outer spaced-apart and opposing
peripheral walls, said inner peripheral wall defining a through
void in said reel;
(c) fish tape access means in the inner peripheral wall of the reel
for extending and retracting therethrough a length of fish tape
contained in the compartment, said fish tape access means
comprising a fish tape feeding port communicating with the inner
peripheral wall of the reel; and
(d) a storage compartment for small tools and fish tape repair
accessories positioned in the void defined by the inner peripheral
wall of the reel.
3. A fish tape reel, comprising:
(a) first and second hollow annular reel segments mated together to
define a fish tape reel having an enclosed annular fish tape
compartment for receiving a length of coiled fish tape;
(b) said reel defining first and second spaced-apart and opposing
side walls, and inner and outer spaced-apart and opposing
peripheral walls, said inner peripheral wall defining a through
void in said reel;
(c) fish tape access means in the inner peripheral wall of the reel
for extending and retracting therethrough a length of fish tape
contained in the compartment; said fish tape access means
comprising a fish tape feeding port housing positioned on the inner
peripheral wall of the reel, said port housing having a
substantially radially extending wall thereon with a fish tape
feeding port therein for feeding fish tape therethrough tangent to
the inner peripheral wall of the reel; and
(d) a storage compartment for small tools and fish tape repair
accessories positioned in the void defined by the inner peripheral
wall of the reel.
4. A fish tape reel assembly, comprising:
(a) first and second hollow annular reel segments mated together to
define a fish tape reel having an enclosed annular fish tape
compartment for receiving a length of coiled fish tape;
(b) said reel defining first and second spaced-apart and opposing
side walls, and inner and outer spaced-apart and opposing
peripheral walls, said inner peripheral wall defining a through
void in said reel;
(c) fish tape access means in the inner peripheral wall of the reel
for extending and retracting therethrough a length of fish tape
contained in the compartment;
(d) a fish tape magazine positioned in the enclosed annular fish
tape compartment for holding a length of coiled fish tape;
(e) a length of fish tape coiled onto the fish tape magazine;
and
(f) a storage compartment for small tools and fish tape repair
accessories positioned in the void defined by the inner peripheral
wall of the reel.
5. A fish tape reel according to claim 1, wherein the outer
peripheral wall of one of said first and second reel segments is
slightly greater in diameter than the other of the first and second
reel segments and said first and second reel segments are
releasably mated together by a lap joint.
6. A fish tape reel according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said
storage compartment comprises a bottom wall and side walls
integrally formed with at least one of the first or second reel
segments and a lid mounted on at least one of the first or second
reel segments for opening and closing movement relative to the
bottom wall and side walls.
7. A fish tape reel assembly according to claim 4, wherein said
fish tape magazine comprises an annular outer wall and
integrallyformed opposing side walls defining an inwardly facing
fish tape receiving channel.
8. A fish tape reel assembly according to claim 4, wherein the
outer peripheral wall of one of said first and second reel segments
is slightly greater in diameter than the other of the first and
second reel segments and said first and second reel segments are
releasably mated together by a lap joint.
9. A fish tape reel assembly according to claim 4, wherein said
fish tape access means comprises a fish tape feeding port
communicating with the inner peripheral wall of the reel.
10. A fish tape reel assembly according to claim 4, wherein said
fish tape access means comprises a fish tape feeding port housing
positioned on the inner peripheral wall of the reel, said port
housing having a substantially radially extending wall thereon with
a fish tape feeding port therein for feeding fish tape therethrough
tangent to the inner peripheral wall of the reel.
11. A fish tape reel assembly according to claim 4, wherein said
storage compartment comprises a bottom wall and side walls
integrally formed with at least one of the first or second reel
segments and a lid mounted on at least one of the first or second
reel segments for opening and closing movement relative to the
bottom wall and side walls.
12. A fish tape reel assembly according to claim 4, wherein a
replaceable wear-reducing grommet is positioned in said feeding
port.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a fish tape reel of the type used to fish
electrical and telephone cable through conduit. The fish tape is
generally made of steel or fiberglass. Several types of fish tape
reels are known. One type, exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,780
discloses for use in an electrical fish tape reel assembly which
includes a generally annular tape-receiving chamber peripherally
bounded by a pair of axially opposed lips adapted to separate to
permit winding and unwinding of a fish tape in the chamber. A tape
winder is mounted between the lips so as to project outside of the
reel on its outer wall and constructed to be moved peripherally
around the reel between the lips. A tape passage through the tape
winder permits passage of the tape. A handle is provided for
holding the reel. The tape passage directed outwardly through the
winder at an oblique angle to the radius of the reel and extends
through the counter chamber for passage of the tape the tape
passage including an inlet passage on the inside of the winder and
an outlet passage on the outside thereof spaced from each other to
provide an aligned rectilinear path for a free span of tape in the
counter chamber. As the handle is moved around the periphery of the
reel, the lips spread to permit passage of the tape. Such a product
is made by Ideal Industries.
Another reel uses two solid pie pan-shaped shells attached together
to form an inner compartment within which the fish tape is
contained. A hole in one of the shells permits the fish tape to be
pulled from and into the compartment. The hole is positioned on one
of the major sides of the reel. Such a reel is made by Lancier
Inc.
The prior art design which permits the lips of the reel to spread
to permit the fish tape to exit is relatively complicated, since it
also includes a handle with a lock on it which is subject to
breakage and wear. The tape is manipulated on the outer peripheral
wall of the reel, exposing it to damage such as from dropping or
other heavy impact. Since the lips of the reel are always open at
some point on the outer peripheral wall of the reel, dirt and other
contaminants can easily enter, causing additional wear as well as
greater friction making the tape more difficult to extend and
retract.
The prior art design which extends the fish tape through the side
wall is simpler to operate, but also exposes the tape to damage,
since it is exposed on one of the major surfaces of the reel.
Another disadvantage of this design is that it is not
"ambidextrous." This means simply that tape may not be fed from the
reel to either side. Thus, care must be taken to correctly orient
the reel side-to-side or top-to-bottom.
Because of safety considerations fiberglass tapes are now commonly
used in place of steel because of their non-conductivity of
electricity. Fiberglass tapes are more prone to breakage and must
be repaired by splicing the tape. No known prior art fish tape reel
provides a convenient place for storing small tools, tubes of
adhesive and similar accessories typically used to repair in the
field broken fiberglass fish tapes.
The design shown described in this application and claimed in the
claims provides a means of protecting the fish tape from breakage
and damage, is ambidextrous, and provides a convenient means of
storing small tools, tubes of adhesive and similar accessories
typically used to repair in the field broken fiberglass fish
tapes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a fish tape
reel which includes first and second hollow annular reel segments
mated together to define a fish tape reel having an enclosed
annular fish tape compartment for receiving a length of coiled fish
tape. The reel defines first and second spaced-apart and opposing
side walls and inner and outer spaced-apart and opposing peripheral
walls. The inner peripheral wall defines a through void in the
reel. Fish tape access means are provided in the inner peripheral
wall of the reel for extending and retracting therethrough a length
of fish tape contained in the compartment.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the
peripheral wall of one of the first and second reel segments is
slightly greater in diameter than the other of the first and second
reel segments and the first and second reel segments are releasably
mated together by a lap joint.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
fish tape access means comprises a fish tape feeding port
communicating with the inner peripheral wall of the reel.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
fish tape access means comprises a fish tape feeding port housing
positioned on the inner peripheral wall of the reel. The port
housing has a substantially radially extending wall thereon with a
fish tape feeding port therein for feeding fish tape therethrough
tangent to the inner peripheral wall of the reel.
Preferably, a replaceable wear-reducing grommet is positioned in
the feeding port.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a storage
compartment for small tools and fish tape repair accessories is
positioned in the void defined by the inner peripheral wall of the
reel.
Preferably, the storage compartment comprises a bottom wall and
side walls integrally formed with at least one of the first or
second reel segments and a lid mounted on at least one of the first
or second reel segments for opening and closing movement relative
to the bottom wall and side walls.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the fish
tape reel includes a first and second hollow annular reel segments
mated together to define a fish tape reel having an enclosed
annular fish tape compartment for receiving a length of coiled fish
tape. The reel defines first and second spaced-apart and opposing
side walls, and inner and outer spaced-apart and opposing
peripheral walls. The inner peripheral wall define a through void
in the reel. Fish tape access means are provided in the inner
peripheral wall of the reel for extending and retracting
therethrough a length of fish tape contained in the compartment. A
fish tape magazine is positioned in the enclosed annular fish tape
compartment for holding a length of coiled fish tape. A length of
fish tape is coiled onto the fish tape magazine.
Preferably, the fish tape magazine comprises an annular outer wall
and integrally-formed opposing side walls defining an outwardly
facing fish tape receiving channel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the
invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fish tape reel according to a
preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fish tape reel shown
in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1; and
FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan views of both sides of the fish tape reel
illustrating how the fish tape may be manipulated from either
side.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE
Referring now specifically to the drawings, a fish tape reel
assembly according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG.
1 and shown generally at reference numeral 10. As is best shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2, first and second hollow annular reel segments 11 and
12 formed of impact resistant ABS plastic are mated together in
overlapping relation to form an internal annular tape compartment
14. The reel segments 11 and 12 are releasably secured together by
respective nuts and bolts extended through mating holes 11A, 11b.
See FIG. 5. The center portion of the reel segments 11 and 12 are
open.
As is best shown in FIG. 3, segments 11 and 12 of reel 10 define
first and second spaced-apart and opposing side walls 15 and 16.
These side walls 15, 16 are substantially flat. Segments 11 and 12
also define inner and outer spaced-apart and opposing peripheral
walls 18, 19 which define inner and outer circumferences of the
reel 10. The inner peripheral wall 19 defines a through void 20 in
reel 10. This void 20 in reel 10 permits it to function as a handle
and permits it to be easily carried.
As is shown in FIG. 2, a magazine 22 constructed of a suitable
plastic material, for example, polystyrene, holds a coil of fish
tape 23. Magazine 22 has an annular outer wall 24 and
integrally-formed opposing side walls 25 and 26 defining a central,
inwardly facing channel 27. The plastic material is selected to
provide high impact strength and light weight. The magazine 22 is
shown in profile in FIG. 3. Magazine 22 is slightly smaller in
width that the tape compartment of reel 10 and thus slides easily
within the compartment as the tape 23 is extended from and
retracted into reel 10.
The tape 23 is protected against damage and breakage by placing a
feeding port 30 on the inner peripheral wall 18. As is best shown
in FIG. 4, a port housing 31 is integrally formed into the inner
peripheral wall 18 of the reel 10. The port housing 31 has a
substantially radially extending wall 32 through which the feeding
port 30 extends. The tape 23 is thereby required to bend only
slightly as it passes off of the magazine 22 and through feeding
port 30 tangent to the inner peripheral wall 18 of the reel. A
replaceable grommet 33 provides a low friction bearing surface for
the fish tape 23.
Since the feeding port 30 resides on the inner peripheral wall 18,
it is protected from damage while at the same time being
ambidextrous, i.e., the fish tape 23 can pass to either side of the
reel as desired.
Referring now to FIG. 2, reel segments 12 and 13 include respective
web portions 12A and 13A which, when mated together, form the
bottom wall of a storage compartment 35. The inner peripheral wall
18 of reel 10 forms the side walls of the storage compartment 35.
The storage compartment 35 is enclosed by attaching a hinge 36 to
the mated webs 12A, 13A. Hinge 36 carries a lid 37 which pivots
between a closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, and an
open position which exposes the interior of the compartment.
A latch 38 is mounted for sliding movement between an open position
which releases the lid 37 and a closed position which fastens the
lid 38 in its closed position. The closed position is maintained by
a detent 39 integrally formed in the inner peripheral wall 18. A
cut-out 40 in the detent 39 receives the outer end of the latch 38
when the lid 37 is closed. The lower end 41 of the detent 39
supports the latch 38 and the lid 37 in proper spacing above the
bottom wall of the compartment 35. The latch 38 is held to the lid
by and slides along a pair of slots 42, 43 in lid 38 by screws 44,
45.
The construction described above provides a reel which is simple to
construct and easy to use. It overcomes many of the problems
associated with prior art devices.
A fish tape reel is described above. Various details of the
invention may be changed without departing from its scope.
Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment
of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are
provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the
purpose of limitation--the invention being defined by the
claims.
* * * * *